Modeling ultra-fast ionization dynamics and electron transport with montecarlo collisional PIC simulations

Summary form only given. We present recent progress in our efforts to model electron transport and ionization dynamics in thin solid targets that are irradiated by ultra-short intense laser pulses, i.e. with intensities I>10¹⁸ W/cm² and pulse durations below 1 ps. Using numerically advanced multi-dimensional particle-in-cell models that include field- and electron impact ionization, as well as binary collisions between charged particles, we study the energy transfer and partition between fast and thermal electrons; propagation of an electron beam-driven ionization front; ultra-fast isochoric heating and the generation of shock waves in solid targets